Game Preview: Sunderland vs Arsenal

Fabio Borini and Steven Fletcher could feature for Sunderland in Saturday’s Premier League visit of Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.

Former Liverpool forward Borini will be handed his debut while Fletcher is also pushing for his first start of the season after coming off the bench to score at Crystal Palace two weeks ago.

Jack Colback is expected to keep his place at left-back over another newcomer, Andrea Dossena, while John O’Shea is suspended after his sending-off at Selhurst Park.

Meanwhile, record signing Mesut Ozil should make his Arsenal debut at Sunderland.

Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (thigh) is out following injury on international duty, as is France Under-21 forward Yaya Sanogo (back), but England duo Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere are expected to feature along with Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

Sunderland will be the less-than-glamorous venue for Mesut Özil’s first Premier League appearance, although while it would normally be tempting to suggest the German will be given a typically robust introduction to English football at the Stadium of Light, most of Paolo Di Canio’s side are also still finding their feet in a new league.

The Black Cats, who signed 14 new players over the summer, have had a poor start to the season and Arsenal are strong enough to expose any cracks in the home side’s make up.

Stat of the game: In 24 Premier League games against Arsenal, Sunderland have won just three, most recently in November 2009.